HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 25

27TH MAY, 1926.

PRESENT:― emotion of the grievous loss sustained by this Colony through his death. When, as a young HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR CECIL cadet, I first landed in Hongkong, I stepped CLEMENTI, K.C.M.G.). ashore upon ground which under a most successful scheme, devised by Sir Paul, had HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER been newly reclaimed from the sea. Sir Paul was COMMANDING THE TROOPS, ACTING (LIEUT.- then already a member of both the Executive COLONEL MONTAGUE BATES). and Legislative Councils. Indeed it is now forty THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. W. T. years since he first sat in this Chamber. My SOUTHORN). earliest recollections as Clerk of the Executive THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (HON. MR. J. H. and Legislative Councils in Hongkong are KEMP, K.C., C.B.E.). associated with memories of Sir Paul, whose THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. C. sage advice, whose wonderful foresight and McI. MESSER, O.B.E.). breadth of vision. whose remarkable financial HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, C.M.G., C.B.E. skill, and whose unbounded enthusiasm for all (Secretary for Chinese Affairs). that tended to develop this Colony never failed to have a marked influence upon the decisions HON. MR. H. T. CREASY (Director of Public of both Councils and at all times informed the Works). policy of the Hongkong Government. HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE (Captain Superintendent of Police). I stood yesterday at Sir Paul's bedside and, as HON. SIR , K.C. all who knew him would have expected, his last HON. SIR SHOU-SON CHOW. words to me concerned what he might still, even after death, do for the benefit of Hongkong. He HON. MR. A. O. LANG. has bequeathed to this Colony his house, his HON. MR. H. W. BIRD. marvellous collection of porcelain and his HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL, LL.D. historical series of pictures of Hongkong from HON. MR. D. G. M. BERNARD. the days of its infancy. But above all he has bequeathed to Hongkong development schemes MR. S. B. B. McELDERRY (Clerk of of great magnitude, many already completed Councils). and some on their way to completion, schemes which have changed the face of the land, which Minutes have vastly increased the prosperity of the Colony and which will inure to the comfort and The Minutes of the last meeting of the contentment of present and future generations of Council were confirmed. its inhabitants. While Hongkong and Kowloon endure, so long will his work remain as his Colonial Secretary imperishable memorial.

HON. MR. W. T. SOUTHORN took the oath upon Yesterday also brought us the sad news that taking his seat as Colonial Secretary. Mr. Holyoak had died in England. Like Sir Paul Chater, Mr. Holyoak was a member of both the Hon. Sir Paul Chater and Executive and Legislative Councils: and the Mr. P. H. Holyoak sudden loss of two of our most valued Councillors in H.E. THE GOVERNOR said―Last night Sir Paul Chater passed away at his home in this island. It is difficult for me to speak without 26 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. one and the same week is a severe blow to Chater, as he then was, left nothing to chance, Hongkong. Both were in heavy harness up to the but himself went out day after day in a small day of their death: for Mr. Holyoak, although Chinese sampan with a sounding lead to satisfy absent on leave, had been charged with business himself by personal observation that there was of high importance which he hoped to transact sufficient depth of water off Kowloon Point for on behalf of this Colony while in England. Mr. the large wharf and godown business which he Holyoak was also up to the time of his departure, had in view and which has grown into the big Chairman of the Hongkong General Chamber of and important concern of the present day. I hope Commerce and throughout the anxious period of that I may be pardoned for quoting this incident the boycott, when his own business made great because it illustrates the point which I wish to demands upon him, he filled with distinction make that Sir Paul's success was not due to mere that exacting public position in addition to luck but was largely attributable to that species discharging very faithfully his duties in the of genius which has been defined as an infinite Executive and Legislative Councils. The Colony capacity for taking pains. and especially the mercantile community owe Mr. Holyoak a deep debt of gratitude for his It is impossible with in reasonable limits of services during a difficult period of strain and time to attempt even to enumerate the vast stress; and we all mourn his death both as a works in this Colony with which Sir Paul's name personal and a public loss and also as being in a will be inseparably connected. He has to his measure a sacrifice due to unremitting labour for credit the main share in carrying through two the good of Hongkong. large Reclamation Schemes, the Praya Reclamation Scheme, which was carried out I move that there be recorded in our minutes between 1889 and 1897, which gave us an an expression of the grief with which we have immense area of flat building land from West learned of the deaths of Sir Paul Chater and Mr. Point to the West end of the Naval Yard, and the Holyoak, as well as of our profound sense of the Praya East Reclamation scheme from the east loss which the Colony has thereby sustained and end of the Naval Yard to East Point, which will that the Clerk of the Council be instructed to be completed in the course of the next few years convey to the bereaved families our deepest and will give this Colony a most valuable sympathy. addition to its available building land.

HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK said ― On Also Sir Paul has been the chief moving spirit behalf of the Unofficial members of this Council in such important building development I beg to second Your Excellency's words. It is companies as the Investment difficult to express adequately what I feel on the Company, and three other companies of a present occasion. Within the brief space of 24 similar character which had a successful career hours, I have heard of the news of the passing in their day―The Kowloon Land and Building away of both my Unofficial colleagues on the Company, the West Point Building Company Executive Council; men with whom I have had and the Land Reclamation Company. In addition the honour of being associated for many years Sir Paul has rendered yeoman service to various past in matters affecting the legislation and the essential public companies, on the board of public life of this Colony. which he has sat and has given the shareholders the benefit of his ripe experience. He is also In looking back over Sir Paul Chater's career, known as the pioneer of much building I have had no difficulty in finding the word development in Kowloon. which would most aptly describe his work. Sir Paul was a master-builder. His mind was Nor is Sir Paul less conspicuous when we eminently constructive in all things, and it was a come to consider not merely the work which he master mind―a mind which mastered the whole has put in on innumerable of every project upon which he was engaged down to the very smallest detail. This mastery of detail is aptly illustrated by what Sir Paul did in the early eighties at the time when the scheme for the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company was first being mooted. Mr. HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 27

Public Committees in this Colony but also his and of the Hon. Senior of generous gifts to our University and his the Council. munificent donations to the Churches of this Colony and other public institutions. In addition The resolutions were passed by all members Sir Paul has also performed anonymously many of the Council standing. acts of private benevolence. In private life Sir Paul was the embodiment of patience and Finance courtesy and his almost encyclopedic memory made a talk with him on the past history of this THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command Colony extra-ordinarily interesting. By his death of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table the the Colony has lost a many-sided man of rare Report of the Finance Committee No. 2, and ability, who had a lasting and abiding faith in moved that it be adopted. Hongkong and its future progress. It is hard to lose such a man especially at the present time. THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to. Turning now to our other colleague, Mr. Holyoak, I find it difficult indeed to express all Papers that I feel in regard to his untimely death in the prime of life. It was my privilege a little over ten THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command years ago to propose him as Member of the of H.E. The Governor, laid on the table the Legislative Council in the place of the late Mr. following papers, which had been published in Hewett, and I then expressed the prediction that the Government Gazette since the last meeting he would be found to be a worthy successor to of the Council:― Mr. Hewett in this Council and also in public Regulation made under section 6 of the Dogs work for the good of this Colony. Ordinance, 1893, on 22nd April, 1926. That prediction has been more than amply Proclamation under the Merchant Shipping fulfilled for on many occasions since in this Ordinance, 1899, Table L, Quarantine Council and at Public meetings I have been Regulations, on 26th April, 1926. proud to be his lieutenant and to second to the Two notifications under section 90 of the best of my ability his strenuous and eloquent Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, efforts for the public welfare. Such a man of 1903, on 27th April, 1926. wide and noble vision will be indeed hard to Two regulations made under section 17 of the replace, and his readiness to help privately all Police Force Ordinance, 1900, on 27th those in need made him much beloved. For the April, 1926. nine months before he left here to take his last Amendments to the Statutes of the voyage home I was in constant and sometimes University. in daily touch with him, and the spectacle that Two proclamations under the Merchant impressed itself on my mind then was that of a Shipping Ordinance, 1899, Table L, brave spirit battling gallantly against odds, for, Quarantine Regulations on 20th May, apart from being a member of both Councils and 1926. his onerous duties as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce under trade and shipping Rescission of the Order of 17th December, conditions of an abnormal and unprecedented 1925, proclaming Shanghai to be an character, he had to struggle against business infectious place. worries and almost continuous ill-health. Report of the General Post Office for the year 1925. In him the Colony has lost a great and Report of the Harbour Master for the year patriotic citizen, and I, and very many others, a 1925. loyal comrade and a true friend. Report of the Committee appointed to consider suggestions for the HON. SIR SHOU-SON CHOW―With deep improvement of the Fire Fighting sorrow I beg, in the name of the Chinese Organization of the Colony (Sessional Community, to associate my Chinese colleague Paper No. 6 of 1926). and myself with the remarks of Your Excellency 28 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Outbreak of Rabies (g) Generally, the making of such recommendations as may tend to HON. MR. A. O. LANG gave notice that he improve the bathing and public health would ask the following questions at the next conditions at Repulse Bay and to check meeting of the Council. the breeding of flies and mosquitoes. Will the Government state:― (2) Will the Government also empower (1) The number of deaths from Rabies since the above Committee to consider and report the beginning of present outbreak. upon the feasibility of inaugurating a new (2) The number of those inoculated who public bathing beach in the neighbourhood of have subsequently died from Rabies. Stanley? (3) If it is the intention to take more drastic THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied ― measures for the prevention of the spread H.E. The Governor has appointed the following of Rabies. Committee to report on the existing facilities, (4) If the question of establishing a Pasteur sanitation, and scavenging at bathing beaches Institute in Hongkong has been generally, and in particular at Repulse Bay and considered. at Castle Peak, and on the feasibility of inaugurating additional public bathing beaches, Bathing Beaches and to make recommendations as to the lines on which the future policy of the Government with HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, K.C., put the respect to bathing beaches should be framed:― following questions: Dr. J. B. Addison (Chairman), Hon. Sir H. E. (1) Will the Government appoint a Pollock, K.C., Hon. Sir Shou Son Chow, Mr. D. Committee for the purpose of considering and W. Tratman, Mr. E. W. Carpenter, Dr. A. G. M. reporting to this Council on the following Severn with Mr. W. Schofield as Secretary. questions in connection with Repulse Bay, namely:― Transport in Kowloon (a) The feasibility of providing better HON. MR. D. G. M. BERNARD asked:― bathing accommodation. (1) What is the present position with (b) The feasibility of enlarging the area of regard to the establishment of a permanent the beach which can be bathed from by manent system in Kowloon? the removal of rocks from the western end of the Bay. (2) Will the Government consider the advisability of employing an expert from (c) The provision of the proper sanitary Home to advise as to the most suitable type conveniences for those resorting to of vehicle to adopt? Repulse Bay.

(d) The regular removal by scavenging THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:― coolies of rubbish and refuse and tins from the houses and beach. 1.The motor-bus companies at present operating in Kowloon have been given a (e) The regular inspection by a Sanitary guarantee that they will be allowed to operate Inspector of the septic tanks and for at least three years more if they maintain a drainage and other outlets, for the satisfactory and efficient service. purpose of ensuring that the same are working effectively and without danger 2.It is not considered necessary to engage to the public health. an expert from England to advise on the most suitable type of vehicle for use in Hongkong. (f) The cutting and keeping cut, and the removal of all rubbish and refuse and Considerable experience of local tins from, the long grass and other conditions would be required before any such undergrowth below the Hotel Garage, expert would be in a position to give valuable and in such other places as are assistance. recommended by the above Committee. HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 29

Chinese Restaurant Licences Colony to any specified person or firm.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the The resolutions, regarding Chinese above sub-section should be changed to:― Restaurant licences, standing in the name of the COLONIAL SECRETARY on the agenda, were It shall be lawful for the Colonial Secretary postponed by agreement of the Council. to grant a warrant authorising the Postmaster- General, or authorising any or all the officers The Bank of Canton of the Post Office, to open and delay any specified postal packet or all postal packets of THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first any specified class or all postal packets reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to whatsoever. authorise the Bank of Canton, Limited, to convert its gold capital into silver. He said― THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded This Bill is promoted by the Bank of Canton and and this was agreed to. the reasons for it are explained, I think sufficiently, in the Objects and Reasons THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL also moved appended to the Bill by the promoters. Shortly, that July should be substituted for June in the object is to convert the capital of the Bank Clause 40 which dealt with the date when the back again into its original form in silver. It is Ordinance should come into operation. thought now by the directors that the capital should now, and should in future always be, in THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, silver. and this was agreed to.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, Council resumed and and the Bill was read a first time. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the The Post Office third reading of the Bill.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, second reading of the Bill intituled, An and the Bill was read a third time and passed. Ordinance to amend the law relating to the Post Office. Council then adjourned sine die.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, FINANCE COMMITTEE and the Bill was read a second time. A meeting of the Finance Committee Council then went into Committee to followed the COLONIAL SECRETARY consider the Bill clause by clause. presiding.

Sub-section (1) of Clause 13 read:― The Committee having considered the items of Supplementary Expenditure Nos. 185 to 198 It shall be lawful for the Colonial Secretary of 1925 and Nos. 85 to 101 of 1926, in message to grant a warrant authorising the Postmaster- No. 5 of 22nd May, recommended that they be General, or authorising any of or all the authorised. officers of the Post Office, to open and delay any specified postal packet, or all postal THE CHAIRMAN then asked the packets of any specified class, posted in the Committee's permission to spend a sum not Colony or received by the Post Office from exceeding $3,500 for the remainder of this year outside the Colony for delivery in the Colony, to secure needed furniture and additional staff or any postal packet which may be posted in for the Colonial Secretariat. Two extra clerks the Colony by any specified person or firm or were required, one a stenographer and typist and which may be received by the Post Office the other a correspondence clerk. from outside the Colony for delivery in the The expenditure of this sum was approved.